Netherlands seeks co-op with Indonesia's Muslims

[sonz]

Visiting Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands, met with a number of religious leaders in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, in talks aimed at promoting interfaith dialogues and cooperation between the two nations, according to Xinhua news agency.

"We talk in the matters of culture and religion and, therefore, it is important to talk about interfaith dialogue, through which we can learn from your experience," he told a joint press briefing after meeting the leaders of Muhammaddiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Balkenende’s visit to Indonesia, the first in less than a year after the Dutch government formally recognized Indonesia's 1945 declaration of independence, follows a visit last week by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and last month by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Balkenende hailed efforts by Indonesia, seen as a moderate Islamic nation that has succeeded in moving to democracy, to root out religious extremism.

The talks were "a fruitful discussion on the importance and need for dialogue on the world situation currently full of conflict," said Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second largest Muslim organization.

Balkenende held talks with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, during which the two leaders are expected to sign a wide-ranging joint statement on boosting political, economic and cultural ties.